The Tennessee Bottle Bill is container-deposit legislation that is proposed. The legislation, if successful, would require a five-cent deposit on beverage containers. Currently the recycling rate in Tennessee is 10 percent and the bottle bill is projected to increase the rate to 80 percent.
Contents
If passed, Tennessee’s bottle bill will cover aluminum cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles of up to two liters, excluding milk, liquor and wine. This would be similar to the items covered by the other 11 participating states.
The primary contributor to litter in Tennessee is discarded bottles and cans.
During the last three years the three leading container trade groups (Aluminum Association, the Glass Packaging Institute, and the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers) have changed their position and now support bottle bills because of the success of existing bottle bills.
US states with Container-deposit legislation
According to 2004 U.S. Census Bureau statistics, approximately 30% of the U.S. population currently reside in states or territories with existing container deposit laws.
These state laws vary as to the types of containers for which a deposit is required, but generally include glass, metal, and plastic beverage containers.
Developments
Memphis, September 17, 2009: By a decisive vote of 10 to 1 (2 commissioners absent), the Shelby County Commission overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution supporting Tennessee's container-deposit bill. Thanks to Commissioner Steven J. Mulroy for sponsoring the resolution, and to the many people who presented at, attended, donated to or otherwise assisted with "Return to Returnables," a public forum on the legislation held on September 17, 2009 at the Agricenter International.
The Shelby County action brings to ten the number of county commissions that have so far voted on (and all endorsed) a resolution on the bill.
The Rutherford County Commission’s Public Works Committee discussed the issue on January 12, 2010 without voting to recommend a resolution for the full 21-member commission to consider.
Potential issues
One aspect of beverage recycling laws that has come into question is the illegal redemption from outside states. Michigan, which offers 10 cents for every can and bottle recycled, has faced issues of smuggling from neighboring states like Ohio, where consumers didn’t pay the deposit when purchased and are collecting money for recycling. None of Tennessee’s neighbor states currently have beverage deposit laws.